Mutual Faithfulness
Steph Wieand
What a joy to engage the book of Ruth together this week. I’m drawn to the fact that it is through mutual relationship that Naomi and Ruth experience redemption in this story. God is less of a notable character here, but God’s presence is felt through other people. So what does that mutual relationship look […]
Inauspicious Openings
Steph Wieand
This summer at Mennonite Convention I went to an excellent workshop by Michelle Hershberger, Bible and Ministry professor at Hesston College. Senper was also at this one with me and I know some of our youth enjoyed her other workshops. Michelle was sharing about Hesston’s work on teaching biblical literacy through focusing on the big […]
Abundant Mercy
Steph Wieand
Psalm 51 is a prayer of confession. And in my experience, we don’t emphasize confession a lot, but I think confession can be very fertile ground. Years ago, I encountered a form of prayer that I actually think might have changed my life. It was called a Welcome prayer. A simple form of the welcome […]
A Glimmer of Hope
Steph Wieand
We have all been there before- you know, sitting around, chatting with family and friends, and someone mentions a current event, something in the news, maybe a recent political update that isn’t too uplifting. Violence in Sudan; a mall shooting in Texas; wildfires, floods, and landslides; One comment leads to another and before you know […]
The In Between
Steph Wieand
The eleven disciples went to Galilee. Eleven. I usually breeze past this part, but let’s slow down a bit. Imagine the state of this group. What had transpired the last few days was certainly close at heart for each of them. Even their group has changed. One of them is missing. And Jesus has been […]
What the World is Like: Fear and Courage
Steph Wieand
There was once a community center that served many in the community. It was a place where children came to play after school and programs were available for helping with homework and even finances. It was a place for fun, for building relationships, and of safety. One person lovingly called it the jewel of the […]
Encountering the Lord’s Prayer
Steph Wieand
Many of us have known and recited the Lord’s Prayer for much of our lives. It’s one of the most well-known passages from the New Testament. And it has been prayed by Christians around the world for generations and generations. Last semester I had the opportunity to encounter this text in a new way. First, I […]
Beloved Kingdom Bearers
Steph Wieand
I never much liked John the Baptist. He’s all repent, and you brood of vipers, and Jesus is coming with a winnowing fork. Barbara Brown Taylor likens him to a Doberman pinscher and I can see her point. He’s just kind of up in your face, and that’s not really my style. I have a […]
Let it Be With Me
Steph Wieand
During the time of discernment before deciding to go to begin seminary, I kept encountering passages and even whole sermons on ‘do not fear’. Now, this theme pops up quite a bit in the Bible. I’ve heard this phrase is present around 365 times, one for every day of the year. But encountering the command […]
Sabbath Resting
Steph Wieand
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Who among us is not weary these days and in need of rest? A word that comes to mind for me, and I’ve heard others say the same, is EXHAUSTED. We, collectively, are exhausted. […]
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